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Your home deserves the best protection. We’re here to help you get it right.
Buying a home is hard — buying home insurance shouldn’t be. Policygenius makes it simple to find the best home insurance policy for you, and ensure your most valuable belongings are protected.
Policygenius is an insurance marketplace, which means we’ll help you compare free quotes from top insurers and purchase a policy. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your home and our expert agents will help you choose the right coverage at the best price. And once you've found a policy you're interested in, they'll even fill out the paperwork for you.
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What is home insurance?
Home insurance is financial protection in case something bad happens to your home. It pays for damage to your home from things like fire, lightning, wind, hail, theft, and more.
It also covers the stuff inside your home — like your clothes, furniture, and electronics — and even the cost of a hotel if you need to stay somewhere else while your house is being rebuilt or repaired.
Homeowners insurance isn’t required in any state, but most mortgage lenders will require proof of insurance before they’ll let you take out a home loan.
→ Read more about how home insurance works
What to look for in a home insurance policy
Your homeowners insurance policy is broken up into six basic coverages that each serve a specific purpose.
Dwelling coverage
Pays for damage to the structure of your home, like your roof or attached garage
Other structures coverage
Pays for damage to structures that aren’t attached to your home, like a shed or fence
Personal property coverage
Pays for damaged or stolen personal belongings, like if your furniture is destroyed in a fire or your TV is stolen
Additional living expense coverage
Pays for hotels, meals, and transportation while your home is being repaired
Personal liability coverage
Pays for legal expenses if you’re responsible for injuries or property damage
Medical payments coverage
Pays for medical bills if someone is injured on your property
Dwelling coverage
Pays for damage to the structure of your home, like your roof or attached garage
Other structures coverage
Pays for damage to structures that aren’t attached to your home, like a shed or fence
Personal property coverage
Pays for damaged or stolen personal belongings, like if your furniture is destroyed in a fire or your TV is stolen
Additional living expense coverage
Pays for hotels, meals, and transportation while your home is being repaired
Personal liability coverage
Pays for legal expenses if you’re responsible for injuries or property damage
Medical payments coverage
Pays for medical bills if someone is injured on your property
→ Learn more about what homeowners insurance covers
How much does home insurance cost?
The average homeowners insurance premium is $1,249 per year, according to a 2020 report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). [1]
Coverage amount is the biggest factor in determining how much you pay for home insurance. Dwelling coverage, which covers your actual home, is the most essential part of your policy.
Here’s a look at the average annual rates for different levels of dwelling coverage:
| Coverage amount | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
| $100,000 to $200,000 | $956 |
| $200,000 to $300,000 | $1,114 |
| $300,000 to $400,000 | $1,272 |
| $400,000 to $500,000 | $1,482 |
| $500,000 and over | $2,148 |
Location also has a big impact on home insurance rates. If the area where you live experiences frequent wildfires or hurricanes, you’ll probably pay more for your policy. The same is true for homeowners who live in cities or neighborhoods with high rates of break-ins or vandalism.
| State | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,409 |
| Alaska | $984 |
| Arizona | $843 |
| Arkansas | $1,419 |
| California | $1,073 |
| Colorado | $1,616 |
| Connecticut | $1,494 |
| Delaware | $873 |
| District of Columbia | $1,264 |
| Florida | $1,960 |
| Georgia | $1,313 |
| Hawaii | $1,140 |
| Idaho | $772 |
| Illinois | $1,103 |
| Indiana | $1,030 |
| Iowa | $987 |
| Kansas | $1,617 |
| Kentucky | $1,152 |
| Louisiana | $1,987 |
| Maine | $905 |
| Maryland | $1,071 |
| Massachusetts | $1,543 |
| Michigan | $981 |
| Minnesota | $1,400 |
| Mississippi | $1,578 |
| Missouri | $1,383 |
| Montana | $1,237 |
| Nebraska | $1,569 |
| Nevada | $776 |
| New Hampshire | $984 |
| New Jersey | $1,209 |
| New Mexico | $1,075 |
| New York | $1,321 |
| North Carolina | $1,103 |
| North Dakota | $1,293 |
| Ohio | $874 |
| Oklahoma | $1,944 |
| Oregon | $706 |
| Pennsylvania | $943 |
| Rhode Island | $1,630 |
| South Carolina | $1,284 |
| South Dakota | $1,280 |
| Tennessee | $1,232 |
| Texas | $1,955 |
| Utah | $730 |
| Vermont | $935 |
| Virginia | $1,026 |
| Washington | $881 |
| West Virginia | $970 |
| Wisconsin | $814 |
| Wyoming | $1,187 |
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What information do I need to get a home insurance quote?
You’ll need the following information on hand to get a home insurance quote online through Policygenius.
Details about your home
Address
Year it was built
Square footage
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Number of stories
Nearest fire hydrant and fire station
Any dogs in your home
Swimming pool or trampoline on your property — and any safety precautions in place
Any updates to your plumbing, heating system, roof, or electrical system in the last 10 years — including the year of each
Protective devices installed in your home
You’ll also be asked whether you ever rent out your home or rooms in the short or long term, as well as whether you run a business or daycare from your home.
Details about your home’s structure
The building type
The roof style
The primary heating system
The foundation type
The construction type
The material of your primary roof
The material of your exterior walls
Details about you
Name
Date of birth
Marital status
Occupation
Annual income range
Credit score range
If you’re in the process of moving, you’ll also need to provide your current home address as well as the closing date for your new home.
Applying with a co-applicant? You’ll need to provide their details as well. Hot tip: Applying with a co-applicant could help you save on rates!
Details about your coverage needs
Finally, you’ll be asked if you’re interested in additional coverage, like flood, umbrella, earthquake, or valuable items.
Not sure? No sweat! Policygenius can still give you a quote. But keep in mind the more information you can provide, the better able our team of insurance experts can find a company that’s the right fit for you.
How long will it take to get a homeowners insurance quote?
It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day to receive your homeowners insurance quotes from Policygenius’ team of insurance experts. Why? Because there’s a dedicated agent crunching the numbers behind the scenes to nail down the absolute best companies for your unique needs.
What else affects my homeowners insurance rates?
The homeowners insurance quotes you receive from Policygenius are calculated by looking at a variety of factors aside from just your home, including your:
Coverage level: Higher limits of liability, extended protection for your home and belongings, and additional coverage endorsements can all mean higher rates.
Credit score: Homeowners with lower credit scores will see higher rates.
Claims history: If you filed multiple insurance claims in the past or your home has a history of structural damage, your insurance rates will likely be higher.
→ Learn more about homeowners insurance costs
Find the cheapest home insurance quotes with Policygenius
Apply online. Answer a few quick questions and you’re on your way to finding the most accurate rates available.
Choose from dozens of companies. Comparing policies is the best way to find affordable insurance. Find top-rated companies in one place at Policygenius and save yourself some clicks (and money).
Get help from real-life people. Need a human touch? Our in-house experts can guide you through the process and get you the best deal.
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Choosing the best home insurance company
There's a lot that goes into choosing a home insurance company. Our Policygenius rating scores companies on everything from cost to coverage options to claims satisfaction, so you can see how your options stack up.
| Company | Policygenius rating (out of 5) | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | 4.3 | $2,112 |
| Amica | 4.2 | $2,004 |
| Encompass | 4.1 | $2,420 |
| Hippo | 4 | $1,499 |
| Chubb | 4 | $5,556 |
| Acuity | 4 | $1,260 |
| Plymouth Rock | 4 | $1,165 |
| State Farm | 4 | $1,500 |
| Allstate | 3.9 | $1,680 |
| Travelers | 3.8 | $1,554 |
| Nationwide | 3.8 | $1,736 |
| Stillwater | 3.8 | $1,589 |
| Swyfft | 3.8 | $1,296 |
| Farmers | 3.7 | $1,476 |
| Tower Hill | 3.7 | $1,787 |
| State Auto | 3.7 | $1,803 |
| Safeco | 3.6 | $1,683 |
| Mercury | 3.6 | $1,925 |
| AIG | 3.5 | $3,564 |
| Erie | 3.4 | $1,908 |
| Progressive | 3.4 | $1,706 |
| GEICO | 3.2 | $1,740 |
| MetLife | 3.2 | $2,467 |
→ Learn more about the best home insurance companies
How to get a homeowners insurance quote
Ready to get covered? Let Policygenius do the heavy lifting for you. Apply online to get connected to a licensed expert to buy your policy. Here are the steps you’ll take:
Gather information about you and your home. This includes everything from when your home was built and any recent updates made to what type of roof and exterior walls you have.
Nail down your coverage limits. You’ll want to make sure your policy limits are high enough to pay for a full rebuild of your home, and that the deductible works with your budget. Not sure how much coverage you need? Policygenius will recommend an amount when you apply.
Consider bundling your home and auto policies. Most insurance companies offer a special discount for bundling your home and auto policies — in some cases up to 35% off your premiums. Bonus: Policygenius helps you do this when you apply online!
Get free quotes through Policygenius. One of our experts will help you compare policies and discounts across companies to find the right coverage at the right price.
Choose a policy and finalize the details. You’re finally there! Once all the boxes are checked, you’ll sign on the dotted line, pay your first premium, and enjoy knowing that you and your stuff are covered. Oh, and the best part? Policygenius will handle all of the paperwork for you — for free!
If you’re unsure about any of these steps, don’t sweat! A Policygenius agent will walk you through each to help you find the best coverage limits, add-ons, and discounts for your needs.
→ Learn more about how to buy home insurance
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Frequently asked questions
What is a home insurance quote?
A home insurance quote is an estimate of how much you’ll pay for a policy based on details about your home, credit score, claims history, and coverage limits. All insurance companies have their own way of calculating quotes, so premium estimates can vary widely across insurers.
Which insurance company is best for homeowners?
There’s no one-size-fits-all home insurance company for anyone. You’ll want to find a company that offers policies in your state, and compare quotes to choose the one that offers the coverage you need at the most affordable cost. Look for companies that offer discounts, like money off for bundling your home and auto insurance.
How do I know how much home insurance I need?
Homeowners insurance coverage needs vary from homeowner to homeowner. In general, your coverage amounts should be high enough to cover your home’s rebuild cost (meaning the cost to rebuild it completely if it were destroyed), the monetary value of your personal belongings, and your combined assets. If you need flood or earthquake coverage, you’ll need to buy those separately.
Are there different homeowners insurance requirements by state?
No, homeowners insurance is not required by law in any state. However, most lenders will require proof of home insurance before you can close on a property.
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